SECTIONS

BIOS

Japan hangs 73-year-old man, 6th execution of 2013

In this photo released by Japan's Justice Ministry, the trapdoor on the floor, marked with a red suqare, where a condemned criminal is to stand is shown open at Tokyo Detention Center Friday, Aug. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Justice Ministry)

The Associated Press
Published Thursday, September 12, 2013 6:38AM EDT

TOKYO -- Japan on Thursday hanged a 73-year-old man convicted of murder and robbery, the country's sixth execution of the year.

The Justice Ministry said the hanging was carried out in Tokyo. The man had shot to death a restaurant owner in 2004, stealing his bag containing 400,000 yen ($4,000) in cash.

Japan executed three inmates in February and two in April. There are 132 inmates currently on death row.

All executions in the country are done by hanging.

Human rights groups have widely criticized Japan for continuing capital punishment, but polls show the public supports the system.

Japan's government releases few details about executions, and inmates are not informed of their pending execution until immediately before it is carried out.